Brendan Jackson

Philosophy of Food

Dr. Williams

12 December 2014

Anorexia Nervosa: Lifestyle or Disease[U1]

In trying to redefine contemporary cultural ideals of beauty and trying to recreate the image of the human body, many women have embraced anorexia nervosa as a way to accomplish these goals.Many would argue that anorexia nervosa is a disease [U2]that requires the attention of medical officials; however, those with anorexia nervosa consider it to be a lifestyle, which is most suitable for them and what their bodies need.[U3]Many anorexics have taken on this lifestyle as they have been able to find Pro Ana websites, which are websites that endorse and support anorexia. Over the years, there has been an increase in these websites. It is through these websites, that anorexics would like to change the perception of anorexia from being thought of as a disease, but more so as a lifestyle option.I, too, will argue that anorexia nervosa is a lifestyle rather than a disease because it is based on one’s choices pertaining to his or her body.

My first premise is that by anorexic people having control over what they eat, they have control over what their bodies look like, whereas people suffering from other diseases have no control in what their bodies look like after the disease has infected them. For example, people who are diagnosed with cancer neither choose to have it nor choose to experience the side effects that come along with it. Those infected have no control in what the cancer may do to them, whether they are forced to suffer hair or weight loss, experience fatigue or the loss of a body part. They cannot and do not have control over the outcomes of their situation and for these reasons they suffer from a disease. I define a disease as a disorder of function in the body that produces specific signs or symptoms and that affects a specific location of the body without the consent of the individual. However, on the contrary, those with anorexia nervosa are in control of their bodies in that they can decide what they want to intake in order to prevent unwanted outcomes. For example, “taking a daily multivitamin [...] so their hair will not fall out” (Abigail Richardson and Elizabeth Cherry: Anorexia as a Choice).When deciding, those with anorexia demonstrate their willingness to uphold the ideals they feel are important and beneficial to them. They choose to be anorexic and because of this decision they are essentially choosing this lifestyle. Because these people have the ability to make their own choices and obtain their desired outcomes, they are living a lifestyle and not suffering from a disease.Diseases are infringed upon you, whereas lifestyles are your choice.

My second premise is that because anorexic people have pondered on the various, strategic ideologies on how to avoid the overconsumption of calories, they have changed the way they are consuming food and the way they are thinking about it which is a lifestyle change[U4]. For example, when they feel the need to eat, they smoke cigarettes or drink caffeine instead. These things defer them away from thinking about hunger and also indicate their ability to have control over their mental state. In addition, anorexics can obtain useful information and strategies on how to maintain their lifestyle via Pro Ana websites. Pro Ana websites offer information for anorexics on how to avoid eating when hungry. The websites suggest that, “ways to distract from hunger [...] are brushing one’s teeth or cleaning the house [...] or in order to eat less, [...] drink tons of water - the colder the better” (Anorexia as a Choice).Their ability to resist their urges demonstrates strength, willpower and the power of mind over body. For example, vegans choose to abstain from eating animal products and even though our culture heavily relies on animals for sustainability, they, too, have the ability to resist the temptation. Anorexics, like vegans, are nonconformists in that they go against societal norms [U5]in order to carry out their beliefs. Carrying out beliefs is part of a lifestyle choice because one’s lifestyle is fixated upon what they deem to be true internally.

A possible objection to this argument is that anorexia nervosa is not a healthy lifestyle in that people who live this lifestyle are malnourished and they are denying their bodies of the basic vitamins and minerals they need. In response to this objection, I claim that while anorexic people may not eat as much as others, they still consume minimal food, multivitamins and the most importantly, water, which is essential to life. Moreover, the real question is not whether anorexia nervosa is harmful, but rather if it is a lifestyle choice or a disease[U6].

Although some may disagree, I would like to offer some benefits of being anorexic[U7]. Because anorexic people consume a considerably lesser amount of animal products, they consume less factory farming products, which ultimately decreases the number of animals suffering, and decreases the amount of toxic wastes that are emitted from the factories which causes greenhouses gases in the atmosphere. From this, I believe that anorexia nervosa is a utilitarian approach to promoting the greater good for all sentient beings. Because anorexics rarely eat meat or meat products, due to the amount of fat and calories, they decrease the amount of suffering inflicted upon helpless animals, animals that would have been confined in factory farms. Moreover, the fewer animals that are factory farmed, the less amount waste and ammonia that are produced which hurt our environment. Cleaner water and air are the result of this and these two things are beneficial and crucial for the greater good of all beings.

A disease is a disorder in which individuals have no control over their circumstances and often times do not embrace it as a way of life whereas people who are anorexic have control over what they eat which affects their body image. They also have a thought process as to how they should consume food that best suits their needs. Therefore, anorexia nervosa is a lifestyle and not a disease.

1

[U1]Grade: 80

[U2]Who? Itisdefined as a disorderor mental illness.

[U3] ¿

[U4]Whatdoesthissay? Howdoesitdifferfrompremise 1?

[U5]Resistingtemptationsisgoingagainstsocietalnorms?

[U6]What do theexpertssay? Herion use is a lifestylechoicetoo. Are weimplyingthatweshouldsupportanytingthisis a lifestylechoice?

Not a terriblyexicitingthesis: ok, it’s a lifestylebutthatisnotaninterstingquestion ;unlessweupacktheimplicatons. Itis a lifestyledisorderyetthepaperseems to thinkitis a goodthing b/c no faactoryfarming, and control.

[U7]Veganismisbenefiicailfora ll, notstarinving yourself.